Normally when you see a professional or even college football coach given an extension it’s because they’ve recently won a championship or had a run of really good success. There are times however when contract extensions are given merely on the faith that the coach can get the job done.
For the Steelers, Mike Tomlin fits a little bit of both of those perspectives. Tomlin has an impressive resume that has been built largely on his first few seasons. The problem as I see it is where the ‘faith’ part enters into the equation.
Tomlin and the Steelers have not won a playoff game since January of 2010. Since then were playoff losses to Green Bay in Super Bowl XLV, a Wild-Card loss to the Tim Tebow-led Denver Broncos and then last year’s home loss to Baltimore.
Mixed in there were two 8-8 seasons and a myriad of locker room issues that resulted in the banning of (gulp!) ping-pong and billiards.
Don’t for a second think that the Steelers’ AFC North Division Title made all of those things go away either. When an all-time great like Troy Polamalu is upset with the behavior and actions of his head coach as Polamalu was, then there’s a problem.
At this point, most of you are thinking that I am not a Mike Tomlin supporter but you’d be wrong. I too have faith that Tomlin will get the Steelers back to a Super Bowl. He’s surrounded himself with a high-octane offense and a fast, young and hungry defense and Chairman Dan Rooney’s return from Ireland has helped too.
The first step towards building faith will start in New England on opening night. It will continue with the Baltimore Ravens and John Harbaugh who have owned Tomlin in recent seasons.
Art Rooney II is giving Tomlin this extension based more on his past than his future in my opinion but that doesn’t mean he still can’t be successful. It does however put pressure on both men. Even with a difficult schedule, a deep playoff run is still expected.
In other words, keep the faith.
8 comments
I look at the Tomlin extension the same way Cowher got an extension. After the 97 Div. Game win the Steelers lost the AFC Title game then missed the playoffs the next 3 seasons but the Rooney’s trusted Cowher the same way they trust Tomlin and yes I know Cowher won his playoff game after 3 non playoff seasons and Tomlin did but there are major differences between that 2001 team and the 2014 team. My point is simple if the Rooney’s trust Tomlin then why can’t everybody else trust him.
Good points all the way around. The Steelers have traditionally given two year extensions to their HC and GM/Director of Football Operations when they have two years remaining. Even the one time in the last 25 years that they didn’t do so, it was because Cowher would not come to terms, nit because a contract was not offered.
Not extending these guys now would have invited scrutiny and distraction. Their motivations are clear. There really isn’t anyting to read into.
IMO, the problems the Steelers have had getting over the hump the past 4 seasons have been personnel driven. The players they brought in have either been poor decisions, ala Ziggy Hood, poorly developed or utilized ala Keenan Lewis & Cam Heyward (who sat on the bench when he was clearly a superior option to Hood for 2-1/2 seasons) or just plain busts like Limas Sweed, Bruce Davis, Tony Hills Best feet in the draft, my ass), Ziggy, Kraig Urbik, Ta’amu, et al. Going two years (2008, 2009) without a single draft choice turning into a contributor and then signing a second contract is not something than any organization could withstand, much less a team with an aging defensive core like Pittsburgh’s. Bringing in worthless free agents like Cam Effing Thomas and LeGarrette Blount doesn’t help matters either. (Although Blount was Tomlin’s doing primarily.)
If people want to hold Tomlin accountable for the drafting from 2009 and beyond, that’s fair. But prior to winning a Super Bowl he had very little sway in that room and after he went to two of them, the Rooneys made Kevin Colbert the organizations first EVER GM and gave him final say over the roster. I know who I consider primarily responsible for the Steelers slide and it isn’t Tomlin.
Food for thought. Take it as you will.
GO STEELER I’M ready for this season
So are we Gregory! Thanks for hitting up the site!
My problem with Tomlin is the team’s awful clock management. On numerous occasions during his tenure, the team has looked clueless at the end of the half or the end of the game.
Couldn’t agree more Randy. For me, it’s the one major thing keeping him from being a more “elite” coach if that makes sense.
“Situational Football” is not Tomlin’s strength. Never has been. He’s gotten better, but I’d like to see him hire another coaching asst and task him with being the guy who researches those scenarios and advises Tomlin accordingly.